23rd Convocation Ceremony: MoRAC UM attended the ceremony

The 23rd Convocation Ceremony of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University (ITBMU), under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, was held at the Seminar Hall of ITBMU in Mayangone Township, Yangon Region on July 21st.

The ceremony was attended by Chair of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Presiding Sayadaw of Thanlyin Min Kyaung Pariyatti Sarthintaik and Chancellor of ITBMU Dr. Bhaddanta Candimabhivamsa, the University's Rector, Dr. Bhaddanta Chekinda, honorary professor Sayadaws, and nuns.

Distinguished lay attendees included Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin and his wife, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein and officials, ambassadors from foreign countries, secretaries and embassy officials, and graduating students from both local and international backgrounds, along with their parents and relatives.

During the ceremony, the Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Sayadaw Dr. Bhaddanta Candimabhivamsa, delivered an opening address or the "Saranīya Ovāda Katha". Following this, the Pro-Rector, Dr. Bhaddanta Nawdhiñāṇa, read the Chairman Sayadaw's address in English.

Next, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin gave a speech expressing congratulations. This was followed by a congratulatory speech from Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein for the graduating students, both local and international.

Subsequently, the Rector Sayadaw conducted the university's pledge with the graduating students and then conferred the respective degrees and regalia upon a total of 91 local and international graduating students who successfully completed their various courses. Notably, Nguyen Anh Tuyet, a nun from Vietnam and a Gold Medalist for outstanding academic achievement in the Bachelor of Arts (Buddha Dhamma) program, was presented with a pure gold plaque award.

On behalf of the Rector Sayadaw, the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture and his wife presented this special award. Following this, the Pro-Rector (Administration), on behalf of the Rector Sayadaw, presented commemorative honorary medals to the dignitaries and ambassadors attending the ceremony.

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Mr. Iskanber Azizov, then delivered a speech of gratitude on behalf of the ambassadors from the countries of the international graduating students.

Finally, the Rector Sayadaw signed the "Graduation Record Book" and delivered a concluding admonitory address to the graduating students.

The International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University (ITBMU) was inaugurated on December 9, 1998. It provides education to monks, nuns, and lay individuals from both domestic and foreign countries. To date, the university has produced a total of 2,686 graduates, including 55 PhD holders, 273 Master of Arts holders, 937 Bachelor of Arts holders, and 1,421 Diploma holders. For the current 2025-2026 academic year, a total of 408 local and international students is enrolled and pursuing their studies. The ITBMU was established in Myanmar to enable anyone, both locally and internationally, to widely study and learn the authentic Theravada Buddhism. The university practically teaches not only Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma, and Pali languages, but also Buddhist meditation practices such as Samatha and Vipassanā.